Cheap Eats in Atlanta, GA: Where to Eat Well on a Budget

Finding cheap restaurants in Atlanta, GA is easier than many people expect. Whether you live in the city, commute in for work, or are visiting for a weekend, there are plenty of places where you can eat well without spending much.

This guide focuses on budget-friendly restaurants and food spots around Atlanta, organized by area and type of cuisine, with practical tips on how to keep your bill low.

How “Cheap” Usually Works in Atlanta

In Atlanta, many locals think of “cheap” meals as:

• Around $10–$15 per person (including tax, before tip)
• Even lower (under $10) at hole‑in‑the‑wall spots, food courts, and takeout counters
• Lunch specials or combo plates that stretch into two meals if you’re willing to take leftovers home

You’ll find the best cheap restaurants in:

• Buford Highway (international food corridor)
• Downtown & Midtown (lunch deals near offices, quick eats near tourist spots)
• East Atlanta / Little Five Points / Edgewood (casual, local hangouts)
• Westside & West End (soul food, Caribbean, and neighborhood spots)
• College areas (near Georgia State, Georgia Tech, and the AUC campuses)

Quick-Glance Guide: Cheap Restaurant Types in Atlanta

Buford Highway: Atlanta’s Best Cheap Food Corridor

Buford Highway is one of the most reliable areas for cheap restaurants in Atlanta. It runs through parts of Brookhaven, Chamblee, and Doraville and is known for:

• Huge variety of cuisines: Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Mexican, Central American, Indian, and more
• Reasonable prices compared to many intown neighborhoods
• Casual spots where you order at the counter and eat fast, or take it to go

What to Expect on Buford Highway

You’ll typically find:

• Tacos and tortas under $5–$10
• Pho, ramen, and noodle bowls around $12–$16
• Banh mi sandwiches often under $10
• Korean BBQ lunch specials that stay under $20 if you skip drinks

🍽 Money-saving tips on Buford Highway:

• Go for lunch specials instead of dinner when possible.
• Share large dishes like big noodle bowls or appetizers.
• Look for plazas with multiple restaurants (for example, near Chamblee‑Tucker Rd & Buford Hwy) and walk around until you see menus and prices posted in the window.

If you’re driving, most Buford Highway plazas offer free parking, which also helps keep your total cost down.

Cheap Restaurants in Downtown & Midtown Atlanta

If you’re near Centennial Olympic Park, Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, the Aquarium, or major offices, you can still eat cheaply with some planning.

Downtown Atlanta Cheap Eats

Downtown has many fast‑casual spots, but there are also locally owned cheap restaurants and food court options, especially near:

• Peachtree Center (225 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303) – multiple lower‑cost food court choices
• Georgia State University campus area (around Decatur St SE and Courtland St SE) – student‑friendly restaurants

Look for:

• Build‑your‑own bowls and plates where you can skip premium add‑ons
• Pizza slices or calzones
• Mediterranean/Greek counters with filling platters that can be split

Midtown Atlanta on a Budget

Along Peachtree St NE, Spring St NW, and West Peachtree St NW, plus near Georgia Tech, you can find:

• Noodle shops with bowls in the $12–$16 range
• Burger spots and sandwich counters where you can share fries or skip drinks
• Late‑night slices and cheap eats near Tech Square and student housing

🧾 Cost-control tricks in Downtown/Midtown:

• Eat just outside tourist-heavy blocks; prices usually drop within a few streets.
• Check combo meals—sometimes a combo is cheaper than ordering sides separately.
• For groups, share large appetizers or platters, then add a few small sides.

In-Town Neighborhoods: Casual, Cheap, and Local

Atlanta’s in‑town neighborhoods are full of affordable, laid‑back restaurants that many locals rely on for everyday meals.

Little Five Points & East Atlanta

These areas draw a mix of students, musicians, and long‑time locals, so there are plenty of budget options:

• Pizza by the slice and basic pasta dishes
• Burger joints with combo meals
• Simple Mexican and Latin spots with tacos, quesadillas, and plates

Most places are order-at-the-counter and have indoor or patio seating. Parking can be a mix of street parking and small lots; check signs to avoid tickets.

West End & Westside

Around West End, Westview, and the Westside, you can find many cheap, filling places such as:

• Soul food and meat‑and‑three restaurants with generous portions
• Caribbean takeout with large plates of rice, peas, plantains, and meat
• BBQ counters where a single plate can often feed two if you add a cheap extra side

These neighborhoods are good if you want a big, comforting meal without a high price.

Cheap Soul Food & Southern Comfort in Atlanta

Soul food is one of the best ways to get a lot of food for the money in Atlanta. Many of these restaurants are in SW Atlanta, West End, and historic neighborhoods.

Common budget‑friendly picks:

• Meat‑and‑three plates (one meat, three sides) – usually enough for one large or two smaller meals
• Vegetable plates – several sides at a lower price than meat-based dishes
• Daily specials (baked chicken, turkey wings, meatloaf, etc.) at a discount

💡 Soul food savings tips:

• Choose baked or stewed meats instead of premium fried seafood or steak.
• Ask about “small plate” or “lunch plate” sizes; they’re usually cheaper.
• Many spots offer takeout containers by default, making it easy to stretch leftovers.

Pizza, Slices, and Italian on a Budget

Pizza is one of the most reliable cheap restaurant options in Atlanta, especially if you’re flexible on toppings.

You’ll find lower‑priced pizza in:

• Little Five Points
• Midtown near Tech and along Peachtree
• Downtown near GSU and office towers
• Neighborhood strips in Virginia‑Highland, Grant Park, and Old Fourth Ward

Budget strategies:

• Order by the slice instead of a full pie if you’re solo.
• Choose simple toppings (cheese or one topping) to keep prices down.
• For groups, split a large pizza and add a shared salad instead of multiple individual entrees.

Pasta dishes at casual Italian restaurants can also be good value, especially baked pastas and simple red-sauce dishes that reheat well at home.

International Cheap Eats: Tacos, Pho, Curry, and More

Atlanta’s diversity shows up clearly in its restaurant scene, and many international cuisines are naturally budget-friendly.

Mexican and Latin American

Look for taquerias, tortillerias, and Latin cafés:

• Concentrated along Buford Highway
• In Southwest Atlanta, the Westside, and parts of Norcross/Doraville (a short drive from the city)

Good cheap bets:

• Street-style tacos
• Tortas (Mexican sandwiches)
• Lunch plates with rice, beans, and a main protein
• Breakfast tacos or burritos (often cheaper than lunch or dinner)

Vietnamese, Chinese, and Noodle Shops

Areas to focus on:

• Buford Highway and Doraville
• Smaller noodle and dumpling shops around Midtown and Westside

Affordable items include:

• Pho, ramen, and noodle soups
• Fried rice and stir‑fry dishes that can be shared
• Dumplings and buns as a light meal or snack

Indian and South Asian

You’ll find budget‑friendly Indian and South Asian food:

• Along Chamblee‑Dunwoody Rd, Buford Highway, and in parts of Decatur
• In smaller strip centers with takeout counters

To keep costs low:

• Choose vegetarian curries or thali (combo plates)
• Share naan and rice instead of ordering extra entrees
• Look for weekday lunch specials or buffets when available

Food Halls, Markets, and Mall Food Courts

Food halls in Atlanta can look pricey at first glance, but careful ordering can keep a meal reasonable.

Ponce City Market (675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308)

Inside this former Sears building, you’ll find a large food hall. To stay in a budget range:

• Skip the cocktails and stick to water or basic drinks.
• Share large portions (like fried chicken plates, big sandwiches, or rice bowls).
• Use Ponce City’s outdoor seating and BeltLine access to make it more of an outing without extra cost.

Krog Street Market (99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307)

Another popular food hall in Inman Park. You can:

• Order small plates or snacks from vendors and share
• Focus on simple items (tacos, sandwiches, dumplings) to keep costs down

Traditional Mall Food Courts

Places like Lenox Square, Perimeter Mall, Cumberland Mall, and Greenbriar Mall offer:

• Chinese, Japanese, and Mediterranean counters with combo plates
• Chains and local stalls with value meals

While not as trendy, these can be some of the most consistent cheap restaurant options if you’re nearby.

Eating Cheap Near Atlanta’s Colleges and Universities

Student-heavy areas in Atlanta tend to have more affordable food because restaurants want to attract regular, budget-conscious customers.

Georgia State University (Downtown)

Around Decatur St SE, Courtland St SE, Peachtree Center Ave, and Broad St you’ll find:

• Sandwich and wrap spots
• Pizza, wings, and burger counters
• Cafés with inexpensive breakfast and lunch items

Georgia Tech (Midtown/West Midtown)

Near Tech Square, Fifth Street NW, and North Avenue, there are:

• Quick-service noodle and rice places
• Budget burger and chicken spots
• Coffee shops with affordable pastries and light meals

Atlanta University Center (AUC)

Around Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Clark Atlanta University, Westside and West End have:

• Caribbean and soul food restaurants
• Takeout wings, pizza, and burger spots that cater to students

📝 Tip: Check for student discounts; some restaurants post them on their windows or near the register.

How to Keep Restaurant Costs Low in Atlanta

No matter where you eat, these strategies help you find and enjoy cheap restaurants in Atlanta, GA:

1. Time Your Meals

• Lunch is often cheaper than dinner.
• Look for “lunch specials,” “blue plate specials,” or “daily deals” on chalkboards and menus.

2. Share and Box Up Leftovers

• Atlanta portions can be large, especially at soul food and international spots.
• Plan to split an entrée or box half for later to turn one meal into two.

3. Skip Extras You Don’t Need

• Drinks, appetizers, and desserts can quickly double your cost.
• Stick to water, or share sides instead of everyone ordering their own.

4. Explore Just Outside the Hotspots

• Neighborhoods one or two miles from major attractions often have much cheaper food.
• For example, if you’re visiting Midtown, consider short drives or rideshares to Westside, Old Fourth Ward, or Virginia‑Highland for better prices.

5. Use Transit and Parking Wisely

• MARTA rail and bus can get you to food-rich areas like Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur, and transfer points for Buford Highway.
• If you drive, pick areas with free or low-cost parking (many Buford Highway plazas, parts of Westside, and some neighborhood strips).

Free and Low‑Cost Resources If Money Is Tight

If you are in Atlanta and restaurant prices are still out of reach at times, there are local resources that can help with food access:

• Atlanta Community Food Bank

  • Main address: 3400 North Desert Drive, Atlanta, GA 30344
  • Phone: (404) 892‑9822
  • They connect residents with nearby food pantries and meal programs.

• United Way of Greater Atlanta – 211

  • Dial 2‑1‑1 from most phones in the Atlanta area
  • They provide information on free or low‑cost meals, shelters, and community services.

These services focus on meeting basic needs, not restaurant dining, but they can help during periods when money for food is very limited.

Atlanta offers a wide range of cheap restaurants, from Buford Highway’s international spots to in‑town pizza slices, soul food plates, and student‑area cafes. If you know where to look—just outside the priciest blocks, near campuses, along major corridors, and in food courts and markets—you can eat well in Atlanta, GA without overspending.